Staten Island Christian Churchhttp://sichristianchurch.org
Committed to Loving God and Loving People.Mon, 13 Aug 2018 00:54:07 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8http://sichristianchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/cropped-SICC-Logo-1400-100x100.jpgStaten Island Christian Churchhttp://sichristianchurch.org
323281016137Are you a living stone or stumbling stone?http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/are-you-a-living-stone-or-stumbling-stone/
http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/are-you-a-living-stone-or-stumbling-stone/#respondMon, 14 May 2018 00:35:53 +0000http://sichristianchurch.org/?p=2093Jesus is referred to in the Bible as the “Cornerstone” (foundation stone). He is also called the Living stone in 1 Peter 2: 4-8. In other words, he is the foundation upon which we are to build our live. In this very passage followers of Jesus are called “living stones” in (verse 5).You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. NIV

Are you a “living stone” in God’s house? Just like Jesus is called the Cornerstone, he is also known as a stumbling stone to those who don’t believe in him. I am truly convinced that as living stones as you are being built and used to build up his kingdom; however, there are Christians who don’t act like living stone, but as stumbling stones. They hinder the advancement of the kingdom of God; they keep others from becoming Christians. Are you being used by God to build up his kingdom? Every follower of Jesus should answer yes to this question because if we are not helping to build up his kingdom then we are becoming hindrances to it.

With every decision we make, we either help build up God’s kingdom or we become a hindrance to it. We become hindrances to God’s rule and authority when we are not willing to adjust our agendas to His agenda. We become hindrances to the gospel when we fight for what we want, rather than what God wants. Living stones are used to build God’s kingdom, not to tear it down. Our deeds will be tell others whether we are acting as living stone or stumbling stone in God’s kingdom.

]]>http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/are-you-a-living-stone-or-stumbling-stone/feed/02093The Christian has a new identityhttp://sichristianchurch.org/blog/the-christian-has-a-new-identity/
http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/the-christian-has-a-new-identity/#respondTue, 13 Mar 2018 17:54:27 +0000http://sichristianchurch.org/?p=2006In the Bible we are reminded that once we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are a new creation, a new person. 2 Cor.5:17 The Christian is a person whose identity is found in Jesus. We find many metaphors or illustrations in the Bible to help us understand who we are in Jesus. When a person places his/her faith in Jesus, that person transitions from death to life, from darkness into light; from the old self, to a new self created in Christ Jesus. We are God’s new creation to live for him in this world. Paul said that we are ambassadors for Christ. 2 Cor.5:20 In other words, now we are to represent Christ in this world as his agents of reconciliation. This is who are because of Jesus.

Jesus had said that only those with a new birth, a new identity, enter the kingdom of heaven. He told Nicodemus that one must be born again, of water and the Spirit. John 3:5 We are made children of God by faith in Jesus John 1:12/ Gal.3:26 As God’s children, we must live according to the standard he has given us. We are known as children of light in this world. Jesus tells his followers to let their light shine before others so that they can see your good works and glorify your heavenly Father. Matt.5:16

If you consider yourselves followers of Christ, you must understand that you are not your own. You cannot follow Jesus whichever way you choose. You must follow him according to what he expects of his people. We belong to God and our new identity in Christ must reflect him, as we live in this world. As the heavens declare the glory of God (Ps.19:1), how are you declaring him in our culture today?

]]>http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/the-christian-has-a-new-identity/feed/02006How would you respond?http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/how-would-you-respond/
http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/how-would-you-respond/#respondMon, 01 Jan 2018 20:41:28 +0000http://sichristianchurch.org/?p=1863Struggling to keep Christ at the center of our Christmas celebration? The lure of materialism and all shiny things is real. The heart, quite literally, was behind the birth of Christ. Emmanuel-God with us; God came near. The Creator became the created to deal with our hearts. We had, have, and will have a sin problem and no way to solve it on our own. It would take a Savior to save us (his people), not from political issues, economic problems, race questions, relational divisions and so forth. The root of it all is SIN. It is what separated the creation from its Creator, as recorded in Genesis.

We have walked farther and farther away from God. No wonder so many feel an emptiness, a void that they try to fill any way they can to no avail. The void is the gap we have created through our choices in life. It can only be filled by the Creator and He sent His Son as the perfect fit. The solution has been provided, yet we have to apply it or accept it for it to do any good in our lives. However, it came and it comes with a cost. This cost God His Son to hang on a cruel cross and it will cost us too.

We must give up ourselves (our wants, desires, plans, celebrations) and become more like Christ. His agenda becoming our agenda-his plans and purpose becoming our plans and purposes. His will becoming our will. When we become more like Jesus, we celebrate Christmas every day, not just in December 25.

God with us! Emmanuel. Do we show it through the way we live each and every day? Is God really with us or just in word, when it’s convenient?

By Angela De la Cruz

]]>http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/how-would-you-respond/feed/01863God’s love: unconditional or conditional?http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/gods-love-unconditional-or-conditional/
http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/gods-love-unconditional-or-conditional/#respondWed, 23 Aug 2017 23:00:20 +0000http://sichristianchurch.org/?p=1672We all have said at one time or another that God’s love is unconditional. We know this is stated in the Bible; however, I believe we have failed to explain what we mean when we describe God’s love as “unconditional.” The Bible is full of conditions established by God in his relationship with his people. One of the greater verses in the Bible in which we see both the unconditional and conditional aspect of God’s love is John 3:16 “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life.

God’s love for the world (unconditional) God gave his Son for everyone in the world; every nation, race, etc. This was God’s unconditional response. He gave his Son for every person.

Here is the conditional aspect : So that whoever believes in him. There is a condition for people in the world to benefit from God’s unconditional love. They must believe in the Son. Whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Salvation is for everyone, but only those who meet God’s condition will obtain it.

God’s condition is faith in Jesus. John 3:36

God’s unconditional love has conditions. People must believe in Jesus for salvation.

Before people began to follow Jesus; he laid out conditions for those who wished to be his disciples. “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” Matt.16:24 You see, in order for you to have a relationship with him there are conditions you must meet. Jesus defined the relationship he wants to have with his disciples. “If you love me, you will remain in me; if you love me, you will obey my commands”. and so forth.

So God’s initial response in saving the world was unconditional. ( HE gave his Son for everyone). To have a relationship with God people must meet his conditions. People must believe in Jesus and abide by his teachings.

]]>http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/gods-love-unconditional-or-conditional/feed/01672True faith is evidenthttp://sichristianchurch.org/blog/true-faith-is-evident/
http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/true-faith-is-evident/#respondWed, 15 Mar 2017 22:23:53 +0000http://sichristianchurch.org/?p=1486Most of us claim to have faith or to believe in God. It is easy to make such profession when things seem well in our lives. However, it is in those difficult times that our faith will be shown; it will be evident whether we truly believe or not. James 2:14-26 reminds us that faith without works is dead. You must show your faith in what you do. The Biblical example James listed here is Abraham, who trusted God even when he didn’t know where God was sending him. His faith was accompanied by his actions when he left all because God told him to leave. When my kids were little, I would tell them to jump toward me from the stairs or the porch. They showed outstanding faith in me, their daddy, because they would just jump without questioning my ability to catch them. Their faith was shown in their jumping in my arms.

Your faith in God has to be shown in your willingness to trust God to catch you; you show faith by being still in the midst of the storm because you know God is greater than any storm you could possibly encounter. In what areas of your life do you need to display faith now?

]]>http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/true-faith-is-evident/feed/01486Am I really a true follower of Jesus?http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/am-i-really-a-true-follower-of-jesus/
http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/am-i-really-a-true-follower-of-jesus/#respondWed, 15 Mar 2017 21:55:32 +0000http://sichristianchurch.org/?p=1483Large crowds followed Jesus everywhere he went; he was undoubtedly a very popular person during his ministry on earth. Have you ever thought that not everyone in the crowd became a true follower of Jesus? Sometimes people think they can follow Jesus in their own terms or whichever way they please. Jesus defined the relationship he wants with his disciples. Mark 8:34 “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” A true follower of Jesus most exhibit self denial, and be willing to follow him even to the point of death. This is the commitment Jesus expects of you if you wish to follow him.

Scripture uses a great number of metaphors to illustrate God’s relationship with us. Father and children, potter and clay, shepherd and his sheep, vine and branches.Jesus talked about being the good shepherd in John 10 and there we find other characteristics of those who are true followers. Jesus said that his sheep known him and listen to his voice. In other words, you cannot call yourself a follower of Jesus if you don’t know him and follow his voice, his instructions. 1 John 2:4 reminds us that the man who claims to know God and yet does not obey his command is a liar.

If you and I are to follow Jesus, we are to do it in the way he has prescribed for us. He is our shepherd and we are his sheep if we know him and follow his instructions.

]]>http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/am-i-really-a-true-follower-of-jesus/feed/01483Stop eating just Spiritual junk foodhttp://sichristianchurch.org/blog/stop-eating-just-spiritual-junk-food/
http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/stop-eating-just-spiritual-junk-food/#respondMon, 24 Oct 2016 18:46:19 +0000http://sichristianchurch.org/?p=1334Junk food is defined as food that has low nutritional value; it may be very appealing and enjoyable, but not nutritious. A diet of junk food will be disastrous in someone’s life. There are lots of Christians, especially in America who are just eating “spiritual junk food” and they wonder why their faith is anemic. In order to grow and mature in your faith, you must stop eating just spiritual junk food.

A lot of Christians have replaced the true nutrients of God’s word, the Bible for spiritual junk food. Only God’s word will provide you the nutrients you need to develop you into a mature disciple.

There are people that they think they are ok spiritually, just because they attended a fellowship meeting, (they treat this meeting as their main course); if this is all they eat, their faith will be weak.

-Attending conferences, camps etc. These things are great for encouragement and challenges; however, as a Christian if you only depend on these for growth, you are eating spiritual junk food

We must understand that nothing we do in church replaces the true source of nutrients found in the word of God. When you replace hearing God’s word and studying it for something else, then you are eating spiritual junk food.

There are people eating so much spiritual junk food and have become malnourished as a result of that.

In order for you to mature in your faith, you must spend quality time in God’s word, you have to know it.

“Did you know it’s possible for a person to listen to biblical preaching and teaching, and even read the Bible himself, yet have it make it little difference in his life? My point is this: It takes more than just the mechanical exposure to the Bible to accomplish the renewing of the mind. It takes a receptive heart that is eager to receive the word-a mind that desires to be renewed……Only the heart that is made ready to receive the Word will produce fruit.“Dr. David Jeremiah: I never thought I’d see the day

This is so true and it explains why so many Christians never get to experience change in their lives and produce fruit. The productivity of God’s word in your life will depend upon your receptivity. How are you receiving the Word when you read it or hear it preached?

]]>http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/a-receptive-heart-is-needed-for-transformation-to-take-place/feed/01297Why is it that some people don’t grow?http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/why-is-it-that-some-people-dont-grow/
http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/why-is-it-that-some-people-dont-grow/#respondThu, 02 Jun 2016 21:12:55 +0000http://sichristianchurch.org/?p=1191As church leaders, we have wrestled with this question for quite some time. If you work in a church, you see that some people tend to grow faster than others. In my years of ministry, I have witnessed this trend for quite a while. I have seen people who have been in the church a long time and don’t show sign of maturity; there are those whose rapid growth is evident. You may wonder why this is the case. I found answers to this question in the parable of the sower (soils) that Jesus spoke (Luke 8:1-15). In this parable there are four types of soils: path, rocky, thorny and good.

The word of God was sown in each of those soils, but only in the good soil was the word of the (seed) able to develop into a plant that produced fruit. When you read that story in Luke 8:1-15 you will discover why God’s word (seed) did not get to produce fruit in the path, rocky and thorny soils.

You must ask yourself this question, what kind of soil are you? If you hear the word of God and it does not produce fruit in you, then your heart may be hard (path), shallow (rocky soil) or thorny. The good soil (receptive heart) described in the story, symbolized those who hear the message, believe it and retain it. They also persevere to the point of producing fruit.

The condition of your heart is very important in order for God’s word to cause any changes in it. People with receptive hearts tend to be the ones growing and maturing in Christ.

When the word of God is preached or announced to you, how do you receive it? I know you hear it, but do you believe and keep it in your heart? The word of God is what produces growth in you, but if you’re not experiencing growth, then you must examine the condition of your heart. Which kind of soil are you?

]]>http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/why-is-it-that-some-people-dont-grow/feed/01191The Church was Jesus’ Ideahttp://sichristianchurch.org/blog/the-church-was-jesus-idea/
http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/the-church-was-jesus-idea/#respondThu, 04 Feb 2016 16:21:31 +0000http://sichristianchurch.org/?p=1027A great insight from the book “Multiply” by Francis Chan.

“Somewhere along the line, it became popular to pursue Jesus while shunning organized religion. We even hear from people who ‘love Jesus but hate the church.’ While no one can deny that the church has its share of problems, Jesus never gave us the option of giving up on His church. And He certainly would not approve of us “hating” her. The church was His idea, so it is impossible to follow Him while shunning the church He died to save.”

We must understand the the church is not the building; in the New Testament the church or Ekklesia was the gathering of those who professed faith in Jesus. In other words, Jesus’s followers are to be connected to one another. You cannot be a follower of Jesus and live in isolation from the body of believers. Francis got it right, you cannot follow Jesus while shunning his church he died for. If you’re not connected to a local church, find one in which you can enjoy fellowship and grow with other Christians. When you read the book Acts, right at the beginning of the church (Acts 2:41-47) you learn how the first Christians had everything in common. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer.

How committed are you to these things today?

]]>http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/the-church-was-jesus-idea/feed/01027Contentment!http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/contentment/
http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/contentment/#respondWed, 18 Nov 2015 03:50:14 +0000http://sichristianchurch.org/?p=949Contentment is the inner joy or peace that doesn’t depend on our circumstances, but on our relationship with God. We struggle with being content in our society. Most people think that in order for them to be happy they have to accomplish things in life or have more money, etc. We live in our society where most people are discontented with their jobs, marriages, churches, etc. People think that happiness or contentment is something one pursues. However, contentment is an attitude once must choose to have. The person in the Bible who can teach us about contentment wrote about it from a prison cell as he waited his execution. He claimed to have learned the secret of contentment. Paul said, I have learned to be content in any situation in life. This man found contentment because he relied on Jesus Christ. He said “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” Php.4:13.

When a person gets to know God and his power then such person will learn to be content in any situation in life. Contentment comes from knowing God is powerful and in control of any situation we experience in life and he will give us the strength to endure whatever comes our way. True contentment comes from knowing Christ.

]]>http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/contentment/feed/0949Supplement your faith!http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/supplement-your-faith/
http://sichristianchurch.org/blog/supplement-your-faith/#respondWed, 18 Nov 2015 03:41:40 +0000http://sichristianchurch.org/?p=947Many times Christians may feel their growth is stagnant. They profess to believe or have faith in Jesus, but they may feel that they are not growing in their spiritual journey. Just as we take supplements when something is not right with our health, our faith also needs spiritual supplements. Peter wrote to Christians who were going through persecution and he encouraged them to add to their faith certain elements, which I call supplements. Spiritual maturity doesn’t just happen, it requires a rigorous effort on our part. We are to add to our faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly love and love. Peter said that when we add these things to our faith, we become fruitful and effective in our knowledge of Jesus. Furthermore, he said that these things supplementing our faith will keep us from being trapped by the world and its deceitfulness. Are you feeling that you are not growing in your faith? Then you should take a look at these supplements. )2 Pet.1:3-11
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